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grand tours

Ba Bể Lake

Sights - Ba Bể Lake

Located in Ba Bể National Park - Ba Bể, which means Three Lakes in the local Tay language, refers to the interconnected Pe Leng, Pe Lu, and Pe Lam lakes. The park was established in 1978 and is recognised by UNESCO as having worldwide significance.

Ba be the largest freshwater lake in Vietnam, is approximately 8km in length. The lake is not very deep being mostly 20-25m deep and only ever reaching a maximum of 35m in places. The lake bed is made up of limestone, just like the giant surrounding karsts, creating perfect conditions for hundreds of species of fish to flourish. Kayaking and boating are popular on the lake.

Puong cave and Nang river

If you are here for a while, you can explore a little further as there are many caves in and around the lake. You can take a boat ride to the Puong Cave from Ba Be Lake by going up the Nang River which is on the north east side of Ba Be Lake. The shallow river feeds the lake with water hence the flat bottom tour boats! The cave is about 300m long and 30m high and is under one of the giant limestone karsts that is part of the Lung Nham Range. It is also part of the Ba Be Lake Boat Tour if you come with us on one of our Grand Tours.

Fairy Legend that created the lake

The legend of the fairy at Ba Bể Lake in Ha Giang Province, Vietnam, is an oral story passed down through generations, embodying themes of love, compassion, and kindness.

According to local mythology, once upon a time, the villagers were celebrating with a festival to honor Buddha and pray for luck and prosperity. As if by magic, an old beggar woman appeared. She asked for food and shelter but was turned away by all the villagers because she was old, smelly, and poor. However one mother and son who took pity on her and gave her the fod and shelter she had asked for.

In the morning, the old lady, who revealed herself to be a magical fairy, warned of an impending flood. The mother and son tried to alert the villagers, but no one heeded their warning. Later that evening, a terrible storm struck while everyone was at the temple praying for more wealth and prosperity. A landslide and flood ensued, swallowing the entire village and everyone in it — except for our heroes.

When the water receded, the land transformed into Ba Bể Lake, and the home of the mother and son became a hillock floating in the lake, now known as Ba Goa Hill. This is where visitors go on boat trips on Ba Bể Lake, and the temple there serves as a homage to our heroes.